AD38 - Los Angeles & Ventura Counties

What are Assembly District Delegates?

Every two years, the CA Democrats elect 7 self-identified females and 7 other than self-identified females from each Assembly District in CA as delegates to the state party. Those who are elected will have a chance to vote for the new party chair and other leadership. The race is hotly contested and will determine how welcoming, grassroots-focused and innovative the party becomes or how beholden it will remain to big money interests.

Nathan Bousfield

John Casselberry

Andrew Lopez

Ryan Skolnick

Logan Smith

Community Organizer

Brandon Zavala

Detailed Information

Your Progressive Executive Board Candidate

Vote for Delegate AND Executive Board Rep.

Ryan Skolnick

Single Payer Activist

Ryan Skolnick

I am a progressive Democrat, single payer activist, and policy wonk. Since getting elected as a delegate two years ago, I’ve helped effect change both within and outside the Democratic Party. Working with National Nurses United and other affiliated groups, I helped mobilize the effort to pass single payer here in California, and helped write I-1600, the single payer initiative in Washington State. Within the Party, as a member of the Credentials, and later Rules, committees, I wrote two bylaws changes, both of which passed. The first would curb the ability of sexual predators to receive the Party endorsement, the second allows us to mobilize behind legislation we endorse as a Party. I also helped lead Party opposition to AB 84, a bill that would have seized power from grassroots Democrats and transferred it to a few legislative elites. I hope I can count as your support as we move to expand these efforts to make the Democratic Party more active, vibrant, and inclusive.

Shawnee Badger

My name is Shawnee Badger and I’m running to be a delegate to the California Democratic Party, representing the 38th Assembly District. I’m a young, millennial, vegan of 3 years and card-holding SAG-AFTRA union actress, activist, and dedicated community member. I’ve lived in the Santa Clarita Valley since I was 2 years old. I was raised here. Educated here. Molded and shaped by this valley. I have a deep love for my district. I graduated with honors from both Valencia High School and College of the Canyons, where I graduated with an Associates Degree Cum Laude. I have been politically active since 2016 when I was a campaign volunteer and the youngest, top vote-getting female delegate to the Democratic National Convention for Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign from California’s 25th Congressional District. That and my work in the NO DAPL movement were the two experiences that really solidified my passion and need to be involved in political action and activism. I co-founded and lead Our Revolution Santa Clarita Valley and Democratic Socialists of America Santa Clarita Valley. Both groups coordinate together on events and actions to make our community a better home to all. We have spearheaded many campaigns and actions including bringing Community Choice Energy to Santa Clarita, ending the criminalization of street vendors, stopping the criminalization of homelessness, advocating for our unhoused communities and support for and expansion of Bridge to Home, standing with students against gun violence at the March for Our Lives, taking part in and organizing actions against Steve Knight and advocating for his ousting, and standing with our undocumented and immigrant neighbors in support of SB 54. We have also endorsed many candidates for office, legislation, and ballot measures; and even co-organized an event with Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. I hope that this statement really gives you a good sense of me, who I am, what I value, and what I want to continue to work on while being a California Democratic Party Assembly District Delegate. More info at http://shawneeforadem38.com

Jodie Cooper

The position of delegate for AD38, is one that I have taken seriously since moving to this district. Previously, I was a delegate for AD45. I am a member of several state caucuses: environmental, progressive, women’s, and children’s. I am the Executive Vice President of the Simi Valley Democratic Club where we have increased our membership from 30 in 2016 to currently over 230. I also serve on the executive board of DPSFV, and am a voting member of the Ventura County Democratic Central Committee. I have actively participated in many campaigns, both in 2016 and 2018 for local, state and federal level offices, which is indicative of how committed I am to being a part of the necessary changes needed for AD38. Aside from being a single mother of two, now grown children, I am a special education teacher for the Los Angeles Unified School District. Recently, I was elected to the House of Representatives for our union, United Teachers of Los Angeles (UTLA). Access to education is an important platform for me, as I know how difficult it is to afford college without a huge financial burden. My son is on the autism spectrum, so having to be his advocate when no one else was, led me to being an advocate for special needs children, and I will continue to be a voice for them.

Mai Do

As a queer, first-generation Vietnamese American daughter of refugees and a resident born and raised in the 38th Assembly District, I’m committed to ensuring that our state Democratic Party remains at the forefront of the fight for an equitable Californian experience. With my experience as Courage Campaign’s first Political Fellow and now Research and Policy Associate and my history of organizing within the Asian American community, I understand both the underestimated pragmatism and the untapped power of progressive policy to not only propel Democratic campaigns to victory across the state, but also to tangibly change the lives of everyday people.

Hillary Hall

I am a teacher and union activist. As the president of the Newhall Teachers Association, I stand up for the rights of my students and teachers. I am the Vice Chair of the Bay Valley Service Center where I have been given the WHO award twice for my union activism. My work at the state level in CTA allows me to influence positions taken by the California Teachers Association. I am a delegate to the CTA State Council and am an appointed member of the CTA Budget Committee. I have written and passed a new business item to lobby for an increase in base funding for our public schools. My activism extends to the national level where I am a six time delegate to the National Education Association Representative Assembly. Being a part of the team that secured a CTA endorsement for Christy Smith for Assembly in both of her runs allowed me to help turn AD38 blue.

Ruth Luevanos

I am a teacher, union chapter chair, youth advocate, working mother and the first Latina City Councilwoman for the City of Simi Valley. As a National Board Certified bilingual teacher with a law degree I have worked with at risk K-12 students in Title I schools and communities to improve outcomes for our most disenfranchised families. As a lifelong Democrat and the first progressive to be elected in Simi Valley I will work hard at the local and state level to make sure that our multi-generational working families have the resources, support and advocacy that they need to have healthy, financially stable, environmentally safe, and thriving communities.

Mary Platt

On the morning of November 9, 2016 I became part of the “Resistance” by joining the Simi Valley Democratic Club (SVDC) and Indivisible-25. I worked to help elect Katie Hill, Christy Smith and candidates for Simi Valley City Government. A few months ago I was appointed Administrative VP of SVDC, I’ve chaired the events committee for the past 18 months and participate on several club committees. I’m a retired executive of a major international bank where my team managed several billion in deposits for businesses from San Diego to Seattle. I know how to work with others to get things done. My activism kicked-in in 1994 when my son was diagnosed with autism and you had to lobby hard to get needed services from the school district. You become a lifelong advocate for your special needs child. I serve on the board of easterseals Southern CA and have served on easterseals national’s board. Through these affiliations I’ve lobbied members of the House and the Senate to vote for bills that support people with disabilities and their families. I learned that Democrats support these bills and Republicans don’t! In April 2017 I was elected to the board of The Arc of Ventura County and a few months later was elected to The Arc of CA where I serve on the public policy committee. At our public policy convention in the spring, in Sacramento, we meet with state senators and assembly members to lobby them for their vote on specific bills supporting the needs of those with I/DD. I’m encouraged by the results of the 2018 mid-terms and wish to actively promote the agenda of the CA Democratic Party by supporting important initiatives such as healthcare reform, the environment, and civil justice, to name a few.

Joe Ayala

I am currently serving my third term as Vice President of NABET/CWA Local 53. My union local represents most of the technicians and engineers who work in the broadcast industry in Los Angeles. Prior to that I served on our local union executive board, and as a shop steward for many years while I was a television news director and KVEA-52, a Los Angeles Telemundo network affiliate. I am a delegate to the Los Angeles County Labor Federation, a member of the Simi Valley Democratic Club, and a voting member of the Ventura Democratic Party Central Committee. I became politically active in high school, where I worked on a mayoral campaign in my hometown of Laredo, Texas. More recently, I worked with the Katie Hill, and Christy Smith campaigns, as well as the Simi Valley city council and mayoral races. I am seeking re-election for delegate because I believe that I have helped our party get back in touch with the needs of its constituents, but the work is far from over. Working families in California have long been a strong political force for good, and I believe that my standing within the labor community has helped our party to better empathize with California voters.

Nathan Bousfield

I’m running to be an Assembly District Delegate because I want to continue working for Democrats in the 38th and throughout California. I’ve lived in Santa Clarita for about 4 years, and am currently attending College of the Canyons studying Political Science and Economics. I worked to help elect Christy Smith as her Simi Valley Field Representative in 2018, and canvassed for candidates from School Board to Congress. I’m involved in several local Democratic clubs, and will bring my experience in organizing and policy to make sure that the California Democratic Party continues to push for legislation that improves the lives of Californians locally and statewide, including: healthcare for all, affordable housing, well-paying jobs, sustainable quality public transportation & infrastructure, and a continued focus on combating climate change.

John Casselberry

I am honored to be running for re-election as an ADEM Delegate. Over the past year, as an ADEM Delegate and President of the Simi Valley Democratic Club, I’m proud to have taken a lead in building up a progressive, efficient grassroots organization in the form of the Simi Valley Democratic Club. As Administrative Vice President, and currently, as President, I have helped the club grow from 40 members to over 230 members.

As the leader of the Simi Valley Democratic Club, I helped lead our organization in flipping the 25th Congressional District, 38th Assembly District, a Simi Valley City Council seat, a Simi Valley School Board seat, a Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District seat and the Ventura County Board of Education seat for Simi Valley and Moorpark.

Over the next two years, I plan to continue building the organization to flip even more local seats while defending our seats in the state legislature and US Congress. As a Planning Commissioner for the City of Simi Valley, I hope to continue providing a voice and serving as an example for aspiring young leaders in our district and throughout Ventura County.

In the California Democratic Party, I hope to continue using my voice and my vote to further progressive causes and electing candidates who will fight for every resident of the state of California.

I will be humbled and honored to be re-elected for a second term as ADEM Delegate for the 38th Assembly District.

Andrew Lopez

My name is Andrew Lopez and I am running to be reelected as an ADEM. I am a young progressive, a demographic that needs to be represented more, and I have made an impact in my community in the way that I said I would in my previous ADEM campaign. Last year I started the Dems club chapter at my college. We got tons of new registrations, got people to mobilize, and we successfully transferred the club to a new set of officers, which often doesn’t happen with college clubs. This year as the Associated Student President of Moorpark College, I was able to enact many progressive changes on campus. I worked with administration to turn more restrooms on campus into gender neutral bathrooms. We started and funded a new sustainability committee to make our campus more environmentally friendly. Most importantly, I organized a walk out in response to the Borderline shooting tragedy. I think it is time to introduce new ideas and new faces into the Democratic Party, and I think I am able to represent that.

Logan Smith

I’m excited to join the dedicated activists on the United for AD-38 slate in seeking the honor of being your ADEM representative to the California Democratic Party. Together, we flipped AD-38 for the first time in generations and together, we’ll continue the work of building a stronger, more inclusive and progressive state Democratic Party. I’ve served as a DSCC delegate since 2016, actively working with local Democratic Clubs and statewide leaders to ensure our candidates have the resources and support they need to run for office and win. I’ve served as both Recording Secretary and Vice President of the Santa Clarita Valley Young Democrats, and am presently the youngest member of the Los Angeles County Democratic Party’s Legislative Action Committee. I also have the privilege of representing AD-38 as an elected Executive Board Member of the Democratic Party of the San Fernando Valley. In 2018 election, I was proud to help lead the fight against Steve Knight, Dante Acosta, and down ballot Republicans, from the very first #KnightOut to my own people-powered campaign for Santa Clarita City Council, earning more than 12,500 votes. Together, we’ll carry our momentum from 2018 into victory up and down the 2020 ballot. I hope I can count on your vote! Together, we go forward.